Before the United States gained its independence, a foreigner residing in America could only obtain citizenship in the country ruling the area of his residence (England, Spain, or France). When the American colonies became independent in 1776, all white residents of European descent born in the colonies or loyal to the Revolutionary cause became AMERICAN CITIZENS. Until 1778 States retained the right to set local residence requirements, and eight states (excepting Connecticut, Georgia, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania) passed their own naturalization laws. In 1778 all free, white residents in ALL states were granted common U.S.citizenship. The first Naturalization Act passed by Congress on March 26, 1790, provided that any free, white male alien at least twenty-one years old who desired to become a citizen could apply to any common law court of record. The said court could be any court with a clerk and a seal in the state where he had resided for the term of at least one year. Loyal indentured servants residing in the Colonies at the time of the Revolution were granted AUTOMATIC CITIZENSHIP.